Switch



J. F. BEAL March '27, 1945.

Filed Jan. 28, 1942 INVENTOR e5 ftfieal.

ATTORNEQ 5. if) gal .98 .96

M I w. m

8 I w a m 3 M 6 8 0 3 i S E N W 4 W X0 Patented Mar. 27, 1945 James F. Beal, Bridgeport, -Conn., assignor to Bryant ElectricCompanyQiBridgepofl, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application J anuary 28, 1942, :Serial No.:428,483

8-Claims.

This invention relates generally to switches for controlling electric circuits, and moreparticularly to such' switche which are capable of control-ling'a-plurality of circuits in a predetermined sequential manner.

For certain'apparatus having startingand running circuits-it is necessary that both circuits be closed to energize the apparatus, and after a, short time, it is desired that the starting circuit be opened especially where this circuit is useful onlyat the time the apparatus is initially energized. An example of such apparatus is'a' 'fiuorescent lamp unit provided with'fila'ments adapted to be connected in series circuit relationin starting the unit, after which line potential is oration.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a switc'h unit of the type described, novelopcrating means for actuating a pluralitypf'sets 'of'switch'contacts in a predetermined"sequential manner.

Another object of this invention isto'provi'de a'novelswitch unit ofthetype described-adapted 'for the control of a pluralityof'iiuorescent lamp units'from a single source of supply.

- Stillfanother object of this invention'is'toprovide novel operating means for'at ieastfone set of switch contacts.

These'and other objects-of this inventlon'will become more apparent upon consideration of tlie following detailed description of a preferred -embodiment thereof and upon considerationof" the attached drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side-elevational view of a switch constructed in "accordance with'this invention,

Fig,- 2 is anelevation viewpartially in section of the switch shownin- Figfl with onemasing section removed,

substantially-on the line III--III"of"Fig.' 2,with

certain Iofi theparts within the casing shown in elevation, and

Fig. 4-ls1a diagrammatic view illustrating how the switch Ofthis invention maybe used for'the control of a plurality of fluorescent Iampunlts.

This invention, as stated above, is concerned with theprovision of a relatively simplifiediform of manually operable control device for'fluorescent lamp units. 'Accor'dinglyjfor a better-understanding of the invention-adetailed description ofltheswitch unit will begiven first, after which reference will be had to the manner in which such-aiunit may control one or more fluorescent lamp :units. I

The lswitch unit illustrated is preferably housed ina casing-2 of insulating material preferablya moldedinsulating material, and the casing 2 is formed of *a pair of substantially identical-half sections =4 and fi removably securedtogethen for example, asby screws i. Each casing section is'hollowe'd out in a particular manner, soasto form,"when the sectlons'are'secured 'togethen'an inner chamber for the switchelements. Referringto Fig. 2 of the drawing, it can-be seen that casing section 6 is provided at the upper end of the hollow portion thereof with a pair Ofresilient contact strips 8, H], which may be'of any desired resilient conducting material, such, forexample, as brass or other copper alloy. Each resilient contact strip 8 and I0 is substantially U-"shaped in form, and isprovided'witha relatively short leg I 2 adapted to be seatedin a cavity formed in the upper end wall of casing section 6, andthe free end of leg 12 is laterally'deflected towardg'the other leg of the strip as at l4, so as to engage the laterally cavity in' which leg I2 is located. The bight'portlon of each contact strip is provided'with'an indentation l6 for receivinga projection on the other end-wall of 'thecavity' receiving leg I2'0f the contact strip. The other leg l8 of U -shaped contact s'trlpst and H] is longer than leg I2,and when'the parts are assembled in position 'intheir respective cavities in'casing section 6, theends of-the long legs will beclispo'sedinoverlapping relation-as shown in Fig. 2. Contact strips. 8 and 'Hl'are identical in form and'ma'ybeass'embled incasing section 6 facing each other by merely dropping the sections laterally into the cavities provided therefor. Where-it is desired to control a. pair offiuorescent lamp units, casing section-4 may also be provided with a set of contact strips 8-and ill in amanner identical with-that shownin 'Fig. 2 'for'casing section'fi.

For'the "purpose of causing engagement and extending end of the vided with an actuating projection 28 locatedv substantially opposite operating projections 24 and 26.

Contact strips 8 and ID are operated into and out of engagement with each other by oscillation of cam 26 about its pivot shaft 22. position shown in Fig. 2, projection 26 is in engagement with contact strip 8 to maintain it away from the contact strip l6. Now upon rotation of cam 26 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2, projection 26 will be moved away from contact'strip 8 and projection 24 will be moved into engagement with contact strip In to urge it upwardly into engagement with contact strip 6 and thereby close the circuit through these contacts. It will be noted that although contact strips 8 and 16 are readily assembled by merely dropping them laterally into the cavities formed in the-housing sections, that when they are assembled in the position shown in Fig. 2, they are effectively anchored against movement under the forceexerted by engagement of operating cam 20 therewith. Thus indentation I6 on the contact strips prevents movement of the strips downwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, and also prevents rotation of these strips by the force exerted on the long legs thereof by cam projections 24 and 26, respectively. As previously stated, the contact strips 8 and ID are preferably of a resilient conducting material, and are preferably formed so that the overlapping ends thereof will normally assume a position in which they are in engagement. Thus in the position shown in Fig. 2 the long leg of contact strip 8 has been stressed by cam 26 in moving it from engagement with contact strip Ill. Accordingly, when cam 20 is rotated in a clockwise manner, contact strip 8 will return into engagement with contact In, and such engagement will be insured by the engagement of cam projection 24 with strip [0,

In the lower portion of casing section 6, there are provided substantially S-shaped contact strips 36 formed preferably of a resilient conducting material like contact strips 8 and I6. 8- shaped contacts 30 are preferably located, as shown in Fig. 2, in the lower corners of casing section 6, and one end leg 32 of each contact strip 36 is mounted in a cavity formed in the lower corners of casing section 6. Each of these cavities is formed with a projection 34 overlapping the free end of leg 32 to thereby prevent rotation of the contact strip in a clockwise direction. Contact means for bridging S-shaped contact strips 66 is carried on a rotatable support 36 of insulating material, such, for example, as a molded insulating material. Rotatable support 36 is provided with a ratchet-like tooth configuration about the periphery thereof, and the other end leg 38 of S-shaped contact strips 30 is preferably formed for close engagement with the space between the teeth-like formations on rotatable support 36. The bridging contact proper is formed by a plate 46 of conducting material such, for example, as copper or the like, secured at one face of rotatable support 36, and having laterally ex- Thus, in the tending contact arms 42 extending over alternate port 36 in a counterclockwise direction, legs 38 of resilient contact strips 36 will snap over the-outer ends of the teeth formed on the support and successively engage the curved surfaces between successive teeth at successive positions. Accordingly, at alternate positions of member 36, it will be apparent that conducting plate 40 through arms 42 thereof will act to conductively bridge the contact strips 30 to complete the circuit through this switch.

For the purpose of rotating insulating support 36, there may be formed integral therewith, a ratchet wheel 44 having teeth thereon corresponding in number and position to the tooth-like formation on the periphery of rotatable support 36. For the purpose of opening and closing the circuits controlled by contact strips 8, l6 and contact strips 30 in a predetermined sequential relation, there is provided a single operating means for rotatable support 36 and cam 20. This operating means includes a substantially U-shaped operating member preferably formed of strip resilient material, having a relatively long leg 48 notched at one side as at 56 for receiving operating projection 28 of cam 20, and having a relatively short leg, the free end of which is bent to form a hook portion 54 for cooperation with ratchet 44. The bight end of the U-shaped actuating member 46 is adapted to be slidably received in a, cavity 52 formed in one inner side wall of casing 2.

Each casing section 4, 6.is provided at the side opposite cavity 52 with a semi-circular opening which is grooved for receiving the flange 56 formed on a mounting sleeve 58 adapted to project from the casing. Mounting sleeve 58 is adapted to be assembled with the casing sections before they are secured together, so that after securing screws 5 are in place, flange 56 prevents relative movement of the mounting sleeve and casing. As shown, the outer surface of mounting sleeve 58 is preferably threaded so that the switch may be supported from a single mounting aperture, by extending mounting sleeve 58 through the aperture and drawing a nut up on the sleeve. The outer end of mounting sleeve 58 is provided with an inwardly extending short flange 66 for limiting outward movement of an operating handle member 62 by engagementof an outwardly extending flange 64 on the handle. A flanged collar 66 is preferably mounted within mounting sleeve 58 and normally engages a ledge formed on the casing sections, to prevent movement of the flanged collar into the casing. An operating member 68 is slidably mounted in flanged collar 56, and the outer end of operating member 68 is provided with an outwardly extending flange l6, and a coil compression spring 12 is adapted to react between flange 16 on operating member 63 and flanged collar 66 to bias operating member 68 outwardly and maintain operating handle 62 in its-normal position shown in Fig. 2. Leg 48 of U-shaped operating member 46 has the free end thereof secured to the inner end of slidable operating member 68, as at 14 by soldering, riveting or the like.

It will now be apparent that the switches may be operated by manually angularly deflecting opcrating-handle 62, or by a direct inward movement thereof, to cause sliding movement of operating member 68 inwardly of the casing, and consequent movement of U-shaped actuating member 46 in the same direction. This will cause rotation of cam 28 in a clockwise direction about its pivot 22 to cause engagement of contact strips 8 and I8. Hook portion 54, of actuating member 46 will engage a tooth of ratchet 44 to cause rotation of insulating support 36 in a counterclockwise direction, the distance of one tooth, to thereby bring conducting flanges 42 ofthe bridging contact into engagement with contact strips 88, respectively, and complete the circuit between these contacts. Now upon release of operating handle 26, spring I2 will cause movement of operatlng member 68 and U-shaped operating member 46 outwardly relatively to casing 2, and cause the operating handle to resume its normal posi-' tion shown in Fig. 2. This outward movement of the parts will cause cam 28 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction back to the position shown in Fig. 2, and thereby separate contact strips 8 and I8. This outward movement of the switch operating parts, will have no effect on the bridging contact for contact strips 38, and consequently thecircuit through these contacts will remain closed. In order to open the circuit through contact strips 38, it will be necessary to again angularly deflect or inwardly slide operating handle 82 to cause rotation of ratchet 44 by pawl hook 64 to bring conducting flanges 42 on insulating member 86 out of engagement with contact strips 88. Of course, such an actuation of handle 82 will also cause engagement of contact strips 8 and I8 upon inward movement of the parts, and disengagement thereof upon outward movement of the parts, as before. Accordingly, it can be seen that contact strips 8 and I8 are moved into engagement upon sliding movement of operating member 48 inwardly of the casing and out of engagement upon movement of this member outwardly relative to the casing, whereas the circuit is completed or interrupted between contact strips 38 only upon movement of operating member 46 inwardly relative to the casing, and movement ofoperating member 46 outwardly relative to the casing has no eifect on the bridging contact for contact strips 38.

Each of the contact strips 8, I8 and 38 preferably has an aperture through the leg portion thereof seated in a casing cavity, and the casing sections are provided with grooves for electrical conductors entering the casing so that the ends of the conductors when stripped may be inserted through the apertures in the adjacent legs of the contact strips and bent and soldered or. otherwise secured to the respective strips. Thus it can be seen from the drawing that a conductor 18 is secured to contact strip I8 associated with casing section 6, and a conductor I6 is secured to contact strip 8 associated with. casing section 6, whereas conductors 88 and 82, are connected respectively to contact strips 8 and I8 associated with casing section 4. Similarly, conductors 84 and 86 are connected to contact strips 88, respectively.

As previously stated, this switch is intended for use especially with apparatus such as fluorescentlamp units having a starting circuit and a running circuit. There is accordingly, shown in Fig. 4, an illustration of how a switch constructed in accordance with this invention may be used to control energization of a pair of serially arranged fluorescent lamp units 88. In accordance with Fig. 4, contact strips 8 and II have their conductors 88 and 82 connected in series with the filaments of one lamp unit, and the other set of contact strips 8, I8 is connected in series with the filaments of the other lamp unit. One filament of one unit is connected by conductor 86' to one contact 38, and the other contact 38 may be connected to a supply conductor 84. The other filament of this lamp and one filament of the other lamp are serially connected by a conductor 88, and the other filament of the other lamp is connected to the other supply conductor 92. Suitable ballast means 84, such as an incandescent lamp or the like, may be included in conductor =92. It will be noted that each set of contacts 8, I8, has a condenser 96 in shunt relation therewith for the purpose of elimihating radio interference, and conductors 88 are provided for establishing the connections of these shunt circuits. The condensers 98 are preferably supported dlrectly on and as a part of this switch unit, in depressions formed on the outer side wall of each casing ection 4, 6. The condensers are maintained in the depressions formed on the outside of each casing section by cover plates I88 held in place by screws 5, which also act to maintain the casing sections assembled, and conductors 88 are adapted to extend through anaperture 89 formed in each casing section for connection to their respective contacts 8, I8.

In the circuit arrangement illustrated in Fig. 4, it will be observed that when the circuit is completed through contacts 38 and both sets of contacts 8, I8, that the filaments of both lamps will be in a series circuit between supply conductors 84 and 82. This corresponds to the condition of these contacts when operating switch handle 62 is angularly moved from the position shown in Fig. 2. Now upon release of the oper ating handle, contacts 8 and I8 will be separated, to-open the series circuits through the lamp filaments, but the serial arrangement of the lamps will be undisturbed. The particular switch structure disclosed is equally adapted for use with a parallel connection of lamps, because in such an arrangement contact strips 8 and I8 are. connected to the lamps in thesame manner shown in Fig. 4, but conductor 98 is eliminated, and conductor 86 would be connected to one filament v of each lamp and supply conductor 92 would be connected to the other filament of each lamp.

From the foregoing, it is believed readily apparent that this invention provides a relatively simplified switch construction embodying a plurality of switches mounted in a single casing of insulating material, and having a single reciprocable operating member to open and close one set of switches on one completereciprocation thereof, and to open or close another switch on a complete reciprocation thereof. This single op erating means common to all the switches is adapted for manual operation to cause movement in one direction, and resilient means are provided' for return movement in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the switch unit disclosed may be adapted by the provision of two starting switches for operation of a pair of devices such as fluorescent lamp units in either a series or parallel arrangement. Obviously, while but two sets of contact strips 8 and I8 are shown in the embodiment illustrated, it is obvious that a greater number, or but a single set of contacts, could be employed to control a like number of lamp units arranged in either a serial or parallel arlamps or floor or table lamps for household use.

In such applications, space considerations are very stringent and the controls for the lamp units maybe required to conform to very small space requirements. In this connection it should be noted that the switch may be mounted in a single mounting aperture by virtue of mounting sleeve 58, and that although a tiltable actuating handle 62 is disclosed for actuating the switches of the unit, other actuating means such, for example, as a pull chain or the like, may be provided to actuate handle 62 where operation is desired from a remote point. All of the switches are enclosed as a single unit in a casing of insulating material, sothat no live parts are exposed, to thereby form a safe control unit, as well as one which is of a simplified and compact form.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is desired that the invention be not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, inasmuch as it will be obvious particularly to persons skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made in this particular embodiment without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is desired that the invention .be interpreted as broadly as possible, and that it be limited only as required by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

V 1. In a switch, a switch casing of insulating ratchet means, a pair of separable contacts in said casing, and means associated with said one leg of said pawl member for opening and C105! ing said separable contacts in response to move-' ment of said pawl in opposite directions. 3. In a switch, a switch casing of insulatin material, spaced resilient contacts mounted inmaterial, spaced resilient contacts mounted in 1 said casing, spindle means rotatably mountedin said casing, said spindle means having spaced peripheral portions of conducting material connected together, and said contacts positioned so asto simultaneously "engage a pairof said peripheral portions in at least one position of said spindle means, ratchet means on said spindle ineans,. a pawl member 'reciprocably mounted in said casing and engageable with said ratchet means for rotating said spindle means an amount equal to the distance between successive peripheral portions of said spindle means upon each complete reciprocation thereof, said pawl member comprising a substantially U-shaped member having the bight portion thereof slidably supportedin a socket formed on one wall of said casing, actuating means for said pawl member movably mounted in an aperture through an opposite wall of said casing, one leg of saidpawl member being extended for connection to said actuating means, and the other leg of said pawl member having a pawl hook formed thereon for cooperation with said ratchet means.

2. Ina switch, a switch casing of insulating material, spaced resilient contacts mounted in said casing, spindle means of insulating material rotatably mounted in said casing, said spindle means having spaced peripheral portions of conducting material connected together, and said contacts positioned so as to simultaneously engage a pair of said peripheral portions in at least one position of said spindle means, ratchet means on said spindle means, a pawl member reciprocably mounted in said casing and engageable said casing, spindle means rotatably mounted in said casing, said spindle means having spaced peripheral portions of conducting material connected together, and said contacts position so as to simultaneously engage a pair of said peripheral portions in at least one position of said spindle means, ratchet means on said spindle means, a pawl member reciprocably mounted in said casing and engageable with said ratchet means for rotating said spindle means an amount equal to the distance between successive peripheral portions of said spindle means upon each complete reciprocation thereof, said pawl member comprising a substantially U-shaped member having one leg thereof cooperating with pawl actuating means, and the other legof said pawl member having a pawl hook formed thereon for cooperation with said ratcret means, a pair of separable contacts in said casing, cam means oscillatably mounted in said casing for opening and closing said separable contacts upon movement of said cam means in opposite directions, and a coupling between said cam means and said one leg of said pawl member to produce oscillation of said cam means in response to reciprocation of said pawl means.

4. In a switch, separable contacts including overlapping strips of flexible and resilient con-. ducting material, actuating means for said contacts comprising a rockably mounted member having spaced portions engageable, respectively, with said strips upon rocking movement thereof in-oppositedirections to cause engagement and disengagement of said strips.

5. In a switch, separable contacts including overlapping strips of flexible and resilient conducting material, actuating means for said contacts comprising a rockably mounted member having spaced projecting portions engageable, respectively, with said strips upon rocking movement thereof in opposite directions to cause engagement and disengagement of said strips.

6. In a switch, a base, spaced resilient contacts mounted on said base, spindle means rotatably mounted on said base, said spindle means having spaced peripheral portions of conducting material connected together, and said contacts positioned so as to simultaneously engage a pair of of said pawl member having a pawl hook formed thereon for cooperation with said ratchet means.

7. In a switch, a base, spaced resilient contacts mounted on said base, spindle means rotatably mounted on said base, said spindle means having spaced peripheral portions of conducting material connected together, and said contacts positioned so as to simultaneously engage a pair of said peripheral portions in at least one position of said spindle means, ratchet means on said spindle means, a pawl member reciprocably mounted on said base and engageable with said ratchet means for rotating said spindle means an amount equal to the distance between successive peripheral portions of said spindle means upon each complete reciprocation thereof, said pawl member comprising a substantially U- shaped member having the bight portion thereof slidably supported in a socket formed on said base, actuating means for said pawl member movably mounted on said base, one leg of said pawl member being extended for connection to said actuating means, and the other leg of said pawl member having a pawl hook formed thereon for cooperation with said ratchet means.

8. In a switch, a switch casing of insulating material, spaced resilient contacts mounted in said casing, spindle means rotatably mounted in said casing, said spindle means having spaced peripheral portions of conducting material connected together, and said contacts positioned so as to simultaneously engage a pair of said peripheral portions in at least one position of said spindle means, actuating means for rotating said spindle in one direction, each of said contacts comprising a strip of resilient conducting material substantially S-shape in form and including spaced end legs connected by an intermediate leg, one of said end legs of each contact extending in the direction of rotation of said spindle and positioned to engage the periphery of said spindle means, and spaced, elongated hollow chamber portions provided in the wall of said casing, a limited opening for each of said chamber portions to the interior of said casing and spaced from the end of said chamber portions in the direction of motion of said spindle means, for receiving the other end leg of each contact to support the contacts in operative positions.

JAIVHL'S F. BEAL. 

